WHY I LOVE TEACHING FILIPINOS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Throughout the world, there are those people who think of teaching as a career opportunity for advancement.  For many teachers I have encountered, it is gratifying for them to impart knowledge to people.  This is true most especially if students use the knowledge gained to progress themselves in contributing to society.

Having been part of the American Institute for English Proficiency, I continuously discover new reasons for enjoying work as an English Specialists.  As AIEP constantly builds its credibility with internationally trained English Specialists, we have a steadily growing number of students from the Philippines and from different countries in different parts of the world.   Because of this reason, it is not surprising that AIEP has already established two offices in the Philippines—Makati City and Quezon City.

These students are mainly the reasons why I enjoy teaching.  I believe that self-gratification is fulfilling especially when you have done something productive, not for yourself but for the society.   Specialists at AIEP, including myself, find it rewarding to see their students, both Filipinos and foreigners, improve to achieve their own personal goals.

The Filipino Students

One of the reasons why I love teaching Filipino students is because I know I am contributing to my own country, the Philippines.   Many Filipinos who study here at AIEP have the desire to learn for personal and mostly for professional and career development reasons.  More and more business establishments are seeking individuals who have substantial experience and skills in different professional fields.  One of the things many businesses are looking for are those applicants who are fluent in the English language.  When any of my students absorb, learn, understand and practice what they have been taught and then land a job because of the confidence I built up within them, there is a sense of gratitude they feel towards me and other specialists who have guided them.

I grew up in the Philippines and experienced the effects of its declining economic power over the years.  So when I know I have helped students be employed—either in or out of the country—I have a sense of fulfillment.  Yes, outside of the country.  They have built up the confidence to face the world in foreign countries.  AIEP incorporates cultural involvement and familiarity.  Many of our Filipino students are constantly engaged with foreign students.

The International Students

I also must include my love for teaching foreign students.  Our foreigner students add flavor to the culture of AIEP.  Our Filipino students engage themselves with constant discussion with our Filipino students.  This gives our Filipino students an access to be cultured, an introduction to different lifestyles outside of t6he Philippines.  Our foreigner students come to AIEP practically with almost the same reason as the Filipinos who enroll in the institute.  Some of them want to study English for Business English; others want to enter into universities that require them to speak English or preparation for studies in countries like the United States of America.

Our foreign students love sharing information about their culture, lifestyle, religion, politics, and the works.  As most teachers should, and they do, admit that they learn a lot from their students.  This is the same case with me.  Human beings are part of the universe.  As teachers are human beings, I must quote Heraclitus, “There is nothing constant except for change.”  Teachers are not fixed scholars.  We always strive to learn and improve more and more each day.  The more I learn from my foreign students about their worlds, the better teacher I am for them.  This growth is unavoidable.  They challenge my own expectations from them learning the English Language and in return they gladly accept my challenge that they need to discover for themselves.